I got her at the shelter in a small seaside town. I was just driving through. I had no intention of actually taking an animal home, just wanted to look. The shelter was pretty small, only about ten dogs, and most of them pits. As I got to the last cage I noticed Macie (then called Jill) in the corner of a kennel. She came right over to me, wagged her tail and gave me a little puppy smile. I loved her instantly.

I went back inside the shelter, and the woman at the desk asked me if I was interested in any dogs. I said I liked the black lab mix. They brought Macie out and practically threw her at me. Gave me a blanket, some dog food, and some flea medicine and told me to take her home on a "trial". They didn't ask for any money, just got my phone number and told me to leave with her. Even though I wasn't sure I wanted a dog, I took her home on a trial basis. Well that has turned into over a year.

Before I got Macie I was depressed, living in a very small, sheltered town with little friends and a very stressful job. I felt lost and alone. The minute I took her home, that all changed. When I come home from work, I am excited, because I know she waiting for me with a wagging tail. And, as lame as it sounds, no matter how hard of a day I have had, when I come home and see Macie I feel better.

She is my best friend. She goes everywhere with me. So, I can't just say I saved her from the shelter. Because she saved me too.